Why WEP just isn't enough

[Rik]

There's an interesting story on the BBC website about wireless security, the need for it and why WEP is just not good enough anymore.

My own recommendations would be:

1) Alter the default SSID for your router to something which you recognise, but which is not readily identifiable to others. (Turning off the broadcast of SSID is a false security, it's still broadcast, just not in an immediately visible form.)

2) Alter the login to your router interface

3) Enable WPA or WPA2 security, and ensure you use a strong key. There are many sites which will generate a random key for you, I use this one.

4) Don't realy on MAC filtering, MACs can be quickly found by a skilled hacker. It does no harm to use MAC filtering as an additional security measure, but your first line of defence should be WPA.

[jupiter]

And if all that doesn't work, just come and live next door to me - there isn't another wireless network for miles.

Oh - I've just spotted the flaw in my suggestion

[Rik]

It's a very minor flaw, Jupiter. We could form a co-operative, allocate bandwidth as needed, have single downloads of all Windows updates, share each others bank accounts...

[jupiter]

share each others bank accounts...

Already doing that thanks Rik - remember the unauthorised transaction you had?
I've got a real biggie planned for next time

[Rik]

Jupiter, you come out with some positively karmic one-liners. One day, I'm going to trawl through the forum and distil them into a concentrate, then bottle that and take the odd sip when I need a smile.

[andyp]

Read your advice for security on wireless router. Just to say thanks for the tips and have done what you  said and got the random password from the website link you provided. All the tips and advice is really welcome. The other thing which is great about idnet is all your settings are readily available once you have logged into your account. Well Donejavascript:void(0);
Grin

[Rik]

Glad to help, Andy. Enjoy the connection.

[rgt247]

Hi
  I use this ramdom generator. No problems so far.